Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 29 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.
"At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.
To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."
"My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.
Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

Chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is here in full — 29 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/5 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.
Line 2
"At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.
Line 3
To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."
Line 4
"My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.
Line 5
Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.”

Shelf noun US /ʃelf/

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading “To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."”

All words in this reading · 117

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

about

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

account

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

after

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

age

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

another

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

as

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

At

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

be

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

beaming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

brought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

by

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

cannot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

century

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

child

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

citizens

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

comfortable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

dear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

dignified

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

dispositions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

Dr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

effect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

employment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

energetic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

evening

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

exclaimed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

exempting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

existence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

favor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

for

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

forty-five

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

from

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

further

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

good

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

government

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

hardship

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

has

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

have

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

him

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

idea

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

ideas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

important

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

intellectual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

interesting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

Know

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

labor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

ladies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

laid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

Leete

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

manual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

means

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

Mr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

must

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

My

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

nation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

nineteenth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

no

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

O

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

on

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

or

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

our

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

part

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

physical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

piquancy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

plan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

point

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

powers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

quaintness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

race

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

rare

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

rather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

regarded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

render

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

retired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

sat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

securing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

service

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

shelfnounUS /ʃelf/

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

still

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

superannuated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

taken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

talking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

ten

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

than

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be superannuated at that age and laid on the shelf must be regarded rather as a hardship than a favor by men of energetic dispositions."

That

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

their

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

this

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

twice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

us

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

we

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

West

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That evening I sat up for some time after the ladies had retired, talking with Dr. Leete about the effect of the plan of exempting men from further service to the nation after the age of forty-five, a point brought up by his account of the part taken by the retired citizens in the government.

years

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "At forty-five," said I, "a man still has ten years of good manual labor in him, and twice ten years of good intellectual service.

yet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Know, O child of another race and yet the same, that the labor we have to render as our part in securing for the nation the means of a comfortable physical existence is by no means regarded as the most important, the most interesting, or the most dignified employment of our powers.

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

your

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "My dear Mr. West," exclaimed Dr. Leete, beaming upon me, "you cannot have any idea of the piquancy your nineteenth century ideas have for us of this day, the rare quaintness of their effect.

Chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy holds 29 sentences, grouped into 6 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 contain?

Chapter 18 holds 29 sentences of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, unabridged, divided into 6 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 29 sentences, grouped into 6 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 18 of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Work through the 6 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 6 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 18 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 18 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Common questions about reading Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 by Edward Bellamy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887?

Yes. All 3150 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #624 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #624, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 take to read?

About 262 minutes of reading across 630 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section

How to work through Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887 to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887

Words and structures a reader meets early in Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Light
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eighteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.